YouTube U: Colleges Partner With YouTube To Teach Video Skills

YouTube (NSDQ: GOOG) has struck partnerships with two universities to help hone the craft of budding videographers looking to make a career out of their work.

YouTube Creator Institute begins this summer at the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts and Columbia College of Chicago. The curriculum is said to include “everything from story arcing to cinematography, monetization strategies to social media tactics.”

It’s another indication of YouTube’s intent to spawn a new breed of amateur homegrown stars who are capable of amassing audiences on par with cable TV. YouTube already has a Partner Program in place that provides funds for promising so-called YouTubers, and the recent acquisition of Next New Networks has also been interpreted as the site’s renewed focus on grooming talent, which is cheaper than buying premium content.

Here’s the application for the Creator Institute; be prepared to provide a two-minute video demonstration. The deadline is March 25.